Eremis has just walked out in disgust, and Geraden stands in embarrassment before the rest of the Masters, who are glaring at him.
The idea that she might not really exist is reinforced by one of the possible theories of imagery, and can possibly affect Terisa’s behavior and choices in this new environment. On the other hand, we are faced with the paradox that the way Geraden looks at her, talks to her, and takes her seriously makes her feel more real.Trembling inside, Terisa studied him, too. Softly, hesitantly, she asked, “What do you mean, he believes I don’t exist? Or I didn’t exist until I was translated from the mirror?” That idea hit her too hard, too deeply. Was the uncertainty of her being so plain that even strangers could see it? “It doesn’t make any sense. None of this makes any sense. You don’t even know who I am.”
The way she talks to him is out of character, almost saucy:
“Apt Geraden, if I’m real, I must be important…Don’t you think it might be a good idea to find out who I am?”
And she confronts King Joyce when he summarily decides to move Terisa from Geraden's care:
Once again, we are faced with one of Geraden’s “feelings.”"You didn't have to do that to him."
He doesn’t tell the Masters about Terisa’s mirrors, because of those “feelings”:“I should have let you go with Master Eremis. I don’t know what came over me.”
Geraden introduces Terisa to King Joyce, whose wonderful smile has an effect on her:He shrugged. “I meant to. But at the last second I had the strongest feeling-” His voice trailed away than came back more strongly. “I just don’t trust Master Eremis. Or Master Gilbur, either, for that matter. I don’t want to tell them anything.”
Irrationally, she felt that her entire life would have been different if she had seen anyone smile like that before.
King Joyse and Adept Havelock, oddly enough, are playing a game called “hopboard.” She recognizes it as checkers. She realizes, in the course of her conversation with the King, that mirrors behave differently here. The King believes she may be an Imager, and so must be treated like an ambassador – with courtesy, but not admitted to state secrets. All of these things serve to increase the sense of unreality and improbability in her mind. Almost like a dream in which strange things happen.
King Joyce explains to Geraden why the Lady Terisa must be treated as an ambassador and than turns to her:
How would you feel and act in this situation??!!“Would you say, my lady,” he asked Terisa unexpectedly, “that I’ve summarized the dilemma fairly?”
She stared at him, unable to follow his reasoning.
Please add your thoughts and comments. I would be happy to do Ch 5 too, but don't have time for 2 chapters right now.
Sky, I didn't do a poll, if you want to add one, feel free.
~MsMary~